May 30, 2015
New York City, Brooklyn
At the top floor of a four star hotel, sits a peculiar mage dazing out the window, admiring the Brooklyn Bridge.
She looked tired and upset. Bags were under her eyes and her clothes were dirty and messy. The room around her however, was neat and spotless. Like she wasn't even living in the room temporarily.
The light from the sun shone bright through the window, but the heat was relaxing. Her eyes started to flicker and soon they closed shut and she was off to sleep.
"Master, I have returned from my scouting." The calm voice filled the room and a figure appeared out of thin air. He wore a blindingly white garb with an air of divinity around him.
He noticed the sleeping figure and then walked to the window. His body blocked the warm sunlight from seeping in.
The sleeping figure stirred and then slowly opened her eyes. "Eh, Archer, back so soon?" She lifted herself and looked hazily at the man before her.
"Yes, with the bridge so close I was able to get a view of our surroundings."
Standing up and adjusting her posture, the woman walked to a nearby table and grabbed water. "So, what do you think?"
"Our position is very advantageous. I can attack any servant or master attempting to cross the bridge, and my line of sight is clear for any attacks from our flank."
The woman stared at her servant with a focused look. A man in white garb with a divine air around him, dark-skin and piercing dark eyes. A renowned hero and the main character from an ancient Indian epic. The Hero of the Endowed, Arjuna.
The woman still could not wrap her head around the servant she summoned. She intended to summon the Hero of Charity, but instead she was given the hero who slayed him. It didn't matter much to her though. A hero at the same level of power and possibly even better would benefit her more.
"While our defense is impenetrable, that is not what we will be doing during the war. We are going for the attack as soon as we can. I am already preparing with familiars and golems to aid you."
"Master, that is unnecessary. You should focus on protecting yourself, I will handle any foes that come my way."
"Even so Archer, I desire victory, whatever it takes. If you must use your noble phantasm, then so be it. If i have to take over New York city then so be it. I will not lose this war." She stared at her servant with iron determination and a fire in her eyes.
"My familiars and golems will aid you in battle. I want you to defeat every servant you come across for the first time. No servant could be prepared for their first fight with you, which is why you must eliminate them in the very first battle."
"It is a given I will succeed in my battles master." Archer gave a deep bow to his master.
The woman gave a large yawn. "Good, as expected of the Endowed Hero. Now, have you found any signs of servants or masters?"
"Yes, I believe I have ascertained the whereabouts of Caster. I stayed at a distance and in spirit form so as not to alert them."
"Excellent. So far Caster seems to be preparing for an all out defense then. Would it be possible to use your noble phantasm?" The woman was tapping her foot incessantly and pulling on her left index finger.
"The area is quite small and close by to numerous buildings. A portion of that part of the city will undoubtedly be wiped out."
The woman's foot started to slow down. "Hmm, I see. A place that isn't hidden and will cause a ruckus easily. Smart move by the master, and we still don't know if the other masters have yet to arrive or if any more servants have been summoned..."
Archer stared at his master silently waiting for her response.
"Damn it! Far too early to come up with a good plan. That spot might even be temporary for caster, or it could be a plot by the master to trap us."
The woman's foot started tapping faster and faster then slowly started to stop. Her movements stilled and she was left standing. Her mouth opened and quiet slow breaths started to come out.
"Master?" Archer said in a quiet low voice.
The woman's eyes opened slowly and she turned to her servant. "Archer...did I fall asleep again?" The woman placed her hand on her face and sighed. "I'm thinking too much again...aren't I?"
"No master, what you are doing is right, but you must pace yourself better."
"Heh, you're right. As I am now I couldn't even finish my preparations. I don't even remember when I last ate or slept." The woman started to walk towards the back rooms. "I will take a short break Archer. Please see if you can find any other masters or servants."
"I understand master, have a good rest." The servant disappeared after giving a bow.
The woman entered her room and collapsed onto the bed. She looked to the side table and raised her hand. A small purple blob appeared out of thin air and started to grow bigger. It formed arms and legs, then gained a body. A small golem appeared and looked at her. "Wake me when dawn breaks." She closed her eyes and the golem sat down, staring unflinchingly at its creator.
May 30, 2015
New York
The sight of the stars in the night sky was almost empty. A private jet had just landed on an airstrip in the northern part of Upstate New York. A man walked out of the plane and looked at the surrounding area. No buildings nearby aside from the hangar, and no line of sight to anywhere.
The man gave a light smile. "Alright, we're here. The United States of America. Would be a great vacation spot here in the countryside of New York."
"I suppose so, but this is a far cry from a vacation wouldn't you say?" A woman walked out of the plane holding two large bags.
"Yeah, it's kind of a shame. But at least we get to experience it now so we will know what to do when we come back."
A third figure appeared out of the door of the plane. "So this is the place huh? The Holy Grail War..."
"That's right, and it will be a perfect test for you Robert. You will witness a battle between mages firsthand."
"While I agree with your sentiments, I still have my worries. Are you sure we will be able to win this?"
The man stared at the highly decorative box his son held. "I can guarantee it. The catalyst is similar to one used in the Fourth Holy Grail War in Japan. With that servant, our loss will be impossible."
Upstate New York
The family arrived at a secluded cabin not far from the airstrip. The woman had already started unpacking their things and William was setting up his workshop in one of the rooms.
"Robert, I need you to do something for me."
"Yes what is it?" The boy walked into the room still holding the box. A large chain connected from his left bicep to the lid of the box.
"Go set up the magic barrier around the cabin and try to extend it as far as possible. I must prepare for the summoning ritual."
The boy nodded and went to the main room. The woman was currently in the dining area organizing food and other supplies.
"Robert, be sure to set up familiars around the area as well. I will come out later to check on your work."
"Yes mother." The boy said as he exited the cabin.
He stood 10 feet from the front door and looked at his surroundings. He adjusted his jacket and let go of the box. It started to hover in the air, then the boy crouched down and placed his hand on the ground.
"Ifelel Nachuiph Argen." The magic circuits on his left arm started to glow and a magic circle was cast under his feet. The air shifted and the pressure increased. The surroundings took on a blue hue then turned to normal just as fast.
"Darn it! Not as big as last time." Robert clenched his fist and sighed. He reached into his right pocket and pulled out various items and threw them onto the ground.
"Maphuliiv Teiarg Ganxoch Yddin." The items started to change shape. Two of them exploded into dust and the four others started to take various forms. One became a squirrel, another a bird, another a fox, and the last became a wolf.
The boy groaned. "Four out of six, still failing." The boy looked disappointed. The four animals split off in different directions and the boy murmured to himself. "I need to improve..."
The boy looked at the box hovering in eyesight to his left.
It had been one week since he was told that his family will be going to America to participate in the Holy Grail War. He didn't know much about the grail war other than the basics his father had told him.
According to his father, the last grail war happened 11 years ago. He was only 4 at the time and he didn't remember much of back then. But he does remember that was around the time he was being taught how to use magic.
His family is quite old so they aren't declining. The boy's magic circuits were plentiful and had the power to use powerful magecraft. But Robert was a slow learner. He could use any form of magecraft taught to him relatively quickly, but it took him a long time to master it.
He was able to use fire magic and gandr by the age of 6, but he didn't get the control of them until 8. He saw this as being a sign that maybe he just wasn't meant for magecraft.
His parents never gave up though. They knew he had the power and the desire to do it, so they have continued in his training.
When the Holy Grail War was announced, his father saw it as the perfect opportunity to train him in the most effective manner. So his father took a temporary leave from his duty as a teacher of the Clocktower to participate in such an event.
Robert shook his head and focused on the decorative box. "The catalyst for a servant..." He went to touch it, but pulled his hand away at the last moment. Then he turned around and entered the cabin.
"Maise, how are the preparations coming!" William was shouting from the bedroom.
"It will take a little longer dear. You brought enough to last us a month up here."
"Alright then." William had walked into the main room.
"Robert, I see you have finished setting up the barrier. It will do for now, but you will have to re adjust it later."
"Of course father..." Robert was slightly looking down.
"Well, I have finished the summoning room. Let us preform the ritual as soon as possible." William left the room.
"Robert, you don't have to be a bundle of nerves. You will do the ritual fine." Maise was smiling at her son like only a mother could.
The boy nodded and followed his father into the back room.
There was a large magic circle in the middle of the room and William was standing next to it.
Robert took a deep breath and looked at the box. His father placed his left hand on the chain and it disappeared into the air. He grabbed the box and pulled out the item inside.
William held a sword hilt in his hand. It had a deep blue grip and shiny gold pommel. He placed the hilt in the center of the magic circle. "You may begin"
Robert took his place and held out his hand, then started the chant.
For 10 years, William Mayweather, a profound mage with a long lineage and an instructor at the Clocktower, had known since the birth of his son that he would be a great mage. When he started to fail in his mastery of magic, William started to tap into his fatherly side instead of his mage side.
He desired for his son to be a great mage, but he also cared for him deeply as a father. He was starting to doubt if the path of a mage was really the best for his son.
But that thought changed during the summoning ritual. He could feel the magic in the air and the power it held. Robert was exhibiting a level of magic that William couldn't even dream of. The boy hadn't even received half of the family crest and he was already this strong. It baffled him as to how Robert hadn't even shown a portion of the power he was using currently.
William felt a great sense of relief and excitement. His son could really be a mage.
Bright light covered the room then dissipated.
A tall figure stood in the circle.
He wore blinding white armor with gold accents, a long blue cape, and held a sword of great length with a similar color.
He opened his eyes and looked in front of him. He stared at the boy looking up to him with a gleam in his eyes.
"Saber class, my name is Lancelot, the Knight of the Lake. I am here to serve you, my master."
